ఇంటి చెరువు చేపలకు కొంగను కాపలా ఉంచినట్లు
inti cheruvu chepalaku konganu kapala unchinatlu
Like appointing a crane to guard the fish in one's own pond
This proverb is used to describe an extremely foolish or self-destructive decision. Since a crane's natural instinct is to eat fish, appointing it as a guard guarantees the loss of the fish. It refers to entrusting something valuable to someone who is most likely to steal or exploit it.
Related Phrases
చెవులు కోసి, చేపలు పంచినట్లు
chevulu kosi, chepalu panchinatlu
Like cutting off someone's ears and then distributing fish.
This expression describes a situation where someone causes a person a significant loss or injury, and then tries to compensate for it with something trivial or irrelevant. It highlights the absurdity of offering a small, useless favor after causing irreversible damage.
చెరువుకు చేరువగాను, చుట్టాలకు దూరంగాను ఉండాలి
cheruvuku cheruvaganu, chuttalaku duranganu undali
One should live close to a lake and far from relatives.
This proverb highlights the importance of being near essential resources (like water) for survival while maintaining a healthy distance from relatives to avoid unnecessary conflicts, gossip, or dependence that can arise from over-familiarity.
కొంగ జపము చేపల కోసమే
konga japamu chepala kosame
The stork's meditation is only for the fish
This expression describes someone who pretends to be pious, innocent, or disinterested while actually waiting for a selfish opportunity. Just as a stork stands still like a monk only to catch a fish, it refers to hypocritical behavior or hidden agendas.
చెరువు చూచి, దున్నపోతు ఆ నీళ్ళన్నీ తానే తాగాలనుకొని గుండె పగిలి చచ్చిందట.
cheruvu chuchi, dunnapotu a nillanni tane tagalanukoni gunde pagili chachchindata.
Seeing the lake, the buffalo wanted to drink all the water itself and died of a broken heart (or burst chest).
This proverb is used to describe greed and over-ambition. It warns that trying to consume or possess more than one's capacity or trying to take everything for oneself leads to self-destruction. It is often applied to people who are overly greedy and fail to recognize their own limits.
చినుకులకు చెరువులు నిండుతాయా?
chinukulaku cheruvulu nindutaya?
Will the tanks be filled by drizzling rain ?
This proverb is used to indicate that small, insignificant efforts or resources are insufficient to achieve a large or monumental task. It suggests that major goals require substantial action rather than just minor attempts.
కొంగకు ఒక చెరువు లేదు, కోమటికి ఒక ఊరూ లేదు.
kongaku oka cheruvu ledu, komatiki oka uru ledu.
A heron is not bound to one pond, a merchant is not bound to one village.
This proverb describes the nature of opportunism or necessity. Just as a heron moves from one pond to another in search of fish, a businessman or merchant moves from village to village to find the best market. It is used to suggest that people who seek specific goals or profits will go wherever the opportunities are best, rather than staying in one fixed place.
చచ్చిన ఆవు మీద చెప్పులు ఉంచినట్లు
chachchina avu mida cheppulu unchinatlu
Like placing sandals on a dead cow
This expression refers to a situation where a person is insulted or treated poorly after they have already faced a major downfall or loss. It signifies adding insult to injury or showing disrespect to someone who can no longer defend themselves.
కొత్త నీళ్లకు చేపలెదురెక్కినట్టు.
kotta nillaku chepaledurekkinattu.
Like fish going against the stream. Undertaking a difficult task. It is hard to swim against the stream. (Dutch.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is overly enthusiastic or eager to embrace new opportunities or changes, much like fish that instinctively swim against the current when fresh rainwater flows into a water body. It can also signify acting with sudden, renewed vigor.
చేపపిల్లకి ఈత నేర్పాలా?
chepapillaki ita nerpala?
Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.
చేతిలోని అన్నం చెరువులోకి విసిరి, చేయినాకి చెరువునీళ్లు తాగినట్లు.
chetiloni annam cheruvuloki visiri, cheyinaki cheruvunillu taginatlu.
Throwing the food from one's hand into the lake, then licking the hand and drinking the lake water.
This expression describes a person who foolishly discards a valuable resource or opportunity already in their possession, only to later struggle and settle for meager leftovers or inferior alternatives. It is used to mock short-sightedness and the lack of appreciation for what one already has.